Clean Up Nicely.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Dollar Bills Y'All.

... Actually Dollar Coins Y'All. Just received these as change from the vending machine.

In Switzerland and most of Europe (Euro countries, Great Britain, etc.), they have coins for currency up to 5 dollars (or their equivalent). At first I was a little weirded out by it because I was not used to carrying so much change but then I got used to it. Now I must admit that I prefer it. I can wash my clothes without fear that I am tearing/losing money left in my pockets. I can easily use the coins in vending machines. Let's just face it - Metal is stronger and more durable than paper. Also, the Europeans may be smarter than us in respect to at least one thing.

Our country could save some dinero using more coins and less bills.

Let's do the math:

- Life Expectancy of a Dollar Bill: 18 to 22 months

- Cost of Production: 4.2 cents

- Life Expectancy of a Coin: 25 years

- Cost of Production: Goden Dollar (21.14 cents); Half Dollar (16.97 cents); Quarter (7.33 cents); Dime (3.14 cents); Nickel (4.56 cents); Penny (0.93 cents).

Therefore:

The cost of one dollar to be in circulation for 25 years in bill form = 57.27 cents (given a generous 22 month life expectancy).

The cost of one dollar to be in circulation for 25 years in coin form = 21.14 cents.

That is a savings of over 50%!!!

Granted, I am not running for office. But if I were I would use this as part of my platform.

And no, I am not an American that believes that America knows the best way to do everything. I am not being unpatriotic. I just believe that we can all learn from each other.

(information provided by The United States Mint)

Monday, December 12, 2011

Brown Breads.

Do you know the brown breads in the Chex mix or Gardetto's? You either love them or hate them. I LOVE them. They are pretty much the only thing I eat in those mixes. Well I recently learned that you can get a whole bag of ONLY brown breads. Yes, I understand that they are "Roasted Garlic Rye Chips", but to me they will always be brown breads. That is what they were called before they gained enough notoriety to garner their own spinoff.

Heaven.

Spotify.

Nothing short of amazing. I am so addicted that it is not even funny. It is like itunes, combined with Pandora, integrated with FB, with a dash of soundcloud. If you have not discovered it yet you are seriously missing out. Here are a few tips to get the most out of it (p.s. Can you tell that I am currently in outlining mode - thank you finals.):

1. Go Premium. It is $9.99/month and you get no commercials, access to extra music, and you can sync all your playlists on your mobile for playback (even when you don't have wifi - i.e. the plane). Best $9.99 I spend a month.

2. Check out what your friends are listening to. You can allow FB to import your friend list and check out what they are listening to. I have a few friends with amazing taste in music. I now "stalk" what they are listening to.
BUT: Please disable the broadcast on FB feature. While I love to find out what some people are listening to. I do not want a FB update every time you listen to something. Especially if you listen to bad music.

3. Listen to Artist Radio. When you search for an artist and click on their name you get tabs at the top of the page. On the right should be artist radio. Great way to listen to a similar genre (i.e. Kaskade for studying) and discover new artists.

4. Discover Other Great Artists. When you search for an artist, the top of the page will display similar artists. Go ahead. Click on them. Check them out.

5. Share your playlists. My friend Long | Distance | Drunk has been creating monthly playlists for a long time. He shares them on spotify. The best thing about this - You aren't getting in trouble with the government for pirated music because as long as it is on spotify and you have premium (see above) you can have a local file on your computer of the song (or on your mobile).

I also have created a few great playlists. I generally create three for each semester to get me through studying (according to the subject and time of day). You can listen to my chill, dance, or rock mixes.

And yes. I do listen to, and subscribe to, cw mixes. And I watch the shows. cw has one of the most AMAZING music departments on network television. I will gladly admit to my love of the cw. Even at age 29.

What are you currently addicted to, music wise? I am always down to discover new, good music.

Justification.

(Dress: Zara, $159)

I need justification to purchase this dress. (aka I need some event or place to wear this.)
Please help!

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Speaking of Music.

This one gets my booty shaking every time. Got ready with it in the background this weekend.

Florence + The Machine - Dog Days Are Over (Yeasayer Remix) by Pretty Much Amazing

All Things Vintage. Especially Music.

I grew up on rock. Classic rock to be exact. I had to know who sung every song on KGB (the classic rock station in San Diego). I hated it when I was younger but so appreciate it now. My parents are amazing for the life lessons they have taught me, especially the one about how important music can be.

These designs are all unique. A company called Made-Craft will customize one for you if you have a spare $650-$1000 laying around. I am a law student. Therefore, I do not have much of anything besides law books laying around. Until I do I will add this to my lust list. Someday :)